|
|
|
|
Monthly Voorhees College E-Newsletter |
August 2014
|
|
|
|
Are you sharing the VC Digest with your classmates and other members of the Voorhees Family? Look for the Forward email link after the Did You Know section and spread the word on the latest news, accomplishments, and happenings at Voorhees! To share any recent accomplishments of alumni, please e-mail Teesa Brunson, communications director, at [email protected].
|
|
Voorhees recognizes National Campus Safety Awarness Month
In efforts to promote National Campus Safety Awareness Month, Voorhees College will host an assembly on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 11 a.m. in Massachusetts Hall Auditorium with guest speaker Steve Ryan, 2nd Judicial Circuit Alcohol Enforcement team coordinator.
Ryan will be speaking with the campus community about alcohol violations, crime and safety and crime and violence prevention.
Since 2005, colleges and universities throughout the United States have recognized September as National Campus Safety Awareness Month. During this month, issues such as crime and safety at campuses of higher education are addressed.
Along with Ryan, SLED agent Katie McCallister, South Carolina State Trooper Judd Jones and Bamberg County Victim Services Program Representative Pat Williams will be in attendance. Additionally, representatives from the Criminal Sexual Assault Association (CASA), Denmark Police Department and Denmark Fire Department will take part in the awareness event.
|
 | |
Dr. Everett B. Ward
|
Voorhees holds Opening Convocation with St. Augustine's University interim president
Voorhees will officially welcome the Class of 2018 during Opening Convocation on Thursday, Sept. 11 at 10 a.m. in the Leonard E. Dawson Health and Human Resources Center. This is event is free and open to the public.
The speaker for this event is current interim president of Saint Augustine's University, Dr. Everett B. Ward. Ward is a respected public administrator, political leader and humanitarian with more than 30 years of national and state-wide experiences.
Professionally, Ward served as director of the Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU)/Minority Institutions of Higher Education (MIHE) Program for the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). In this role, Ward worked with university chancellors and presidents, faculty and staff in the areas of transportation curriculum development, research initiatives and student development. Ward served on the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) HBCU/MIHE Workgroup. This workgroup is responsible for establishing and maintaining partnerships between FHWA and HBCU/MIHE universities.
Prior his role with the HBCU/MIHE program, Everett served as the NCDOT's director of Intergovernmental Affairs and special assistant to the deputy secretary for Environment, Planning and Local Government. In both roles, he worked with local elected officials and assisted with the implementation of the department's Rural Planning Organizations (RPO) Program. In recognition of his service to the department's diversity efforts, Ward received the NCDOT Extra Mile Award.
Ward continued his family's tradition by receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Augustine's University. He also earned a Master of Arts degree from North Carolina State University (NCSU). While a student at NCSU, he was invited by the Taiwanese government to study the political, educational and cultural institutions of the Republic of China (Taiwan). In recognition of his academic and humanitarian achievements, Ward received the Steve Grissom Humanitarian Award from NCSU. He maintains his connection with NCSU by serving as a visiting lecturer in the Department of History.
In 2013, Ward earned a doctoral degree in leadership studies from North Carolina A&T State University's School of Education. As a result of his academic achievements, he was a North Carolina A&T State University Wardham Scholar and a member of the honor society of Phi Kappa Phi and the Golden Key International Honour Society. He was a contributing writer to publication, Lead the Way: Principles and Practices in Community and Civic Engagement. His research focus includes African American elected leadership, African-American history, civic engagement and leadership development.
Ward is a lifelong member of Davie Street Presbyterian Church, USA where he serves as a Ruling Elder. In addition to his church activities, he holds membership and leadership positions in such organizations as Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity; 100 Black Men, Inc. and North Carolina State Capital Foundation.
|
 | | Dr.Corey Sheffield |
August Alumni Highlight: Dr. Corey Sheffield
The alumni highlight for August is Dr. Corey Sheffield, a 2000 graduate of Voorhees. Dr. Sheffield recently received his doctoral degree from Argosy University in educational leadership with a K-12 concentration.
After graduating from Voorhees, Dr. Sheffield entered the field of education starting in the classroom as a science teacher teaching earth and life sciences. After several years in the classroom, he then transitioned into college counseling helping students to understand the importance of post-secondary options.
Dr. Sheffield is currently the lead college readiness advisor manager for the Knowledge is Power Program in Atlanta. He one day hopes to direct a college access program for African-American students.
He is a member of professional organizations such as the National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC) and the Southern Association of College Admissions Counselors (SACAC). He is an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., where he was initiated through the Eta Iota Chapter on Voorhees College campus in the fall of 1997.
|
 | Dr. Pamela Wilson
|
Dr. Pamela Wilson hired as new executive vice president at Voorhees
Voorhees College has hired Dr. Pamela Martin Wilson as its new executive vice president/vice president of academic and student affairs.
Dr. Wilson has more than two decades of experience in higher education. She comes to Voorhees from her most recent position as president of Allen University.
Additional positions held by Dr. Wilson at Allen University include executive vice president, associate vice president of academic and student affairs and chair of the Division of Humanities and Social Science.
"We are thrilled that Dr. Wilson has joined Voorhees College," said President Cleveland L. Sellers, Jr. "She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in higher education that will be beneficial for our faculty, staff and students."
Dr. Wilson's Voorhees ties are strong as she graduated from the institution in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English communications.
Dr. Wilson said she is excited about returning to her alma mater and she looks forward to working with President Sellers.
"Some of the excitement of this position is the work itself. I have worked in higher education for 21 years in many capacities, from the lowest level to the top level, and I am always excited to see programs and ideas at work. I'm excited to be working with such a multi-faceted and multi-talented group of people," Wilson said.
She added, "I'm probably most excited to be back at my alma mater, playing a role in giving it something it gave to me a long time ago- enthusiasm and continued success. Finally, I'm excited to be working under the presidential leadership of my long-time mentor, Dr. Cleveland L. Sellers, Jr."
Dr. Wilson said future goals at Voorhees are to provide fundamental support to students, professional support and advocacy for faculty and staff, and collaboration with the administration.
"Additionally, I hope to encourage alumni and other stakeholders to invest in Voorhees through finances, recruitment, volunteerism and engagement. Primarily, I want to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the academic and student affairs unit of the college."
Dr. Wilson has also taught at various institutions including Georgia Southern University, Virginia State University, Ohio State University, Benedict College and Indiana State University.
After graduating from Voorhees, Dr. Wilson later received a Master of Arts degree in English from Indiana State University and a doctorate degree in rhetoric and composition with an emphasis in business and administrative communication from Ohio State University. She also received a certificate of completion from the Harvard Seminar for New University Presidents at the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University.
In her new role at Voorhees, Dr. Wilson hopes to build a sense of togetherness among the administration, faculty, staff and students.
"My biggest challenge will be adjusting to the workplace culture of Voorhees College while simultaneously building teams and avoiding the semblance of alienation while we all work together in advancing the vision and mission of the college."
|
 | | Justin Thomas |
Voorhees hires Thomas as new head baseball coach
Justin Thomas' passion for baseball is evident through not only his professional experience but also his community involvement.
Thomas, a native of Ambridge, Penn., was recently hired by Voorhees as the new head baseball coach. He will also serve as an instructor of sports management.
Prior to coming to Voorhees, Thomas served as the pitching coach for Penn State Greater Allegheny, which is a campus of Pennsylvania State University.
Along with being responsible for the pitching staff, Thomas created a strengthening and conditioning program, organized the recruiting list and recruiting visits and monitored and assisted in the progress of pitchers on the roster in this role.
Thomas was also responsible for the pitching staff finishing a 52-game season with a team earned run average of 3.79 in 2013. Additionally in 2013, the team had two United States Collegiate Athletic Association All-Americans as well as thePenn State University Athletic Conference pitcher of the year.
Additional coaching positions held by Thomas include associate head coach and pitching coach of the Carolina Crushers, which is a part of the Carolina-Virginia 2014 Summer League, head coach of the Myrtle Beach Surf Riders during the Myrtle Beach 2013 Summer League, pitching coach of the Butler BlueSox during the 2012 Prospect League and pitching coach of the Tradewater Pirates during the Ohio Valley 2011 Summer League.
Thomas was also an assistant varsity and head junior varsity baseball coach at Ambridge High School in Pennsylvania for the 2011-2012 year.
Thomas received the Master of Sports Studies degree in 2013 from the United States Sports Academy and the Bachelor of Science degree in social work from Slippery Rock University in 2010.
Thomas said he is excited about becoming the head baseball coach at Voorhees, and he looks forward the challenging but rewarding experience.
"I would like to help our young men with three specific things. I want them to become better young men for our society, graduate from college and have a great baseball collegiate experience," Thomas said.
|
 | | Dr. Jianya Zhang |
Voorhees receives grant to study arsenic
Voorhees College recently received a National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Initiation Award totaling approximately $200,000 to develop a comprehensive way of detecting the different types of arsenic in natural and human-impacted environments.
Arsenic is a naturally-occurring compound that can be toxic or non-toxic depending on the form. The purpose of this research will be to analyze the different forms of arsenic, particularly those in environments with high-sulfide levels.
Research initiation awards provide support for junior and mid-career faculty at HBCUs who are building new research program or redirecting and rebuilding existing programs.
"This project will enhance the research experience and training of our students at Voorhees," said Dr. Jianya Zhang, assistant professor of chemistry and environmental science at Voorhees.
"The grant will also strengthen the environmental science program at Voorhees and expand the visibility of the program."
Dr. Zhang is the principal investigator for the grant. He has been teaching at Voorhees since 2011. Dr. Zhang obtained a doctorate degree in environmental engineering and sciences from the University of Florida. He also received master's degrees in organic chemistry and physical chemistry from the University of Florida and Peking University. He completed his undergraduate education at Nanjing University, one of the top five universities in China.
|
Did you know...quick bits of news and knowledge about Voorhees College - The Class of 2018 took part in the Annual Candlelight & Matriculation Service on Sunday, August 10. The event is the last formal campus event that incoming freshmen take part in before their first day of class as Voorhees College students.- Voorhees College faculty and staff welcome and salute the following new hires to the campus since July 2014:
Takillya M. Brown - Admissions Counselor/Recruiter
Zhabiz Golkar - Asst. Prof. of Biology
Reginald Jennings - Instructor of Mathematics
Litany Lineberry - Instructor of Computer Science
Derrick Antoine Mitchell - Head Coach Men's Basketball/Instructor
Kiffany Perlote - Adjunct Prof. of Psychology
Ora L. Sabb - Housekeeper
John Sloan - Asst. Prof. of Criminal Justice
Lionnell Q. Smith Asst. Prof. of Speech
Amos Stevenson - Residence Coordinator
John Stewart - User Support Services
Justin D. Thomas Head Baseball Coach/Instructor of Sports Management
Norma Watts - Asst. Prof. of Humanities/Dept. Chair of Humanities
Pamela MartinWilson - Executive Vice President/Vice President of
Academic and Student Affairs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
